Long Beach school board lets New City School stay open

LONG BEACH — The Long Beach Unified Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding between the school district and New City School that will allow the troubled charter school system to keep its doors open.

The 500-student New City K-8 on Long Beach Boulevard has been in danger of losing its charter due to concerns over the school's performance.

Last year, New City was flagged by the state for its extremely low scores on California's standardized tests. The LBUSD has since had serious concerns over the school's financial and academic struggles, officials have said.

However, LBUSD officials said they are hopeful that district staff and New City can work together over the next several months to fix the deficiencies.

In a pubic hearing Aug. 20, the school board decided not to revoke the school's charter in favor of a memorandum that outlines steps that the school must take to prove its financial and academic stability. The school will face losing its charter if the requirements aren't met.

New City Executive Director Sabrina Bow has said the school has established a sound financial plan that will secure the school's future at its current location and pull the school out of debt as early as December.

New City, along with most schools in the LBUSD, will start its first day of school Wednesday.